Question
Can my sister pass on HIV to her partner?
29 January 2024. Related: All topics, CD4 and viral load, HIV transmission, Sero different couples.
My sister has been on ARV’s for the past year, she is still nervous about transmitting it to her partner. As of 6 months after beginning the treatment, her viral load dropped to 55. Do you think she’ll be undetected now, because they started having unprotected sex after a year of her taking the ARV’s. Is it possible that her partner will contract it?
She sometimes misses her doses, but it’s only for some hours. Will it affect her partner?
Answer
Hi, how are you doing?
No. There is no risk that your sister will pass on HIV to her partner.
As her viral load is below 200 and she is on treatment, U=U applies and she is considered undetectable.
When someone has a viral load this low it is impossible to pass on HIV to their partner via sex.
Occasionally being late with a dose is a normal thing to happen. As long as it is not a regular occurrence it is going to to have no impact on her treatment or her viral load.
Josh.